"Zen mind is our true nature."

Monthly Archives: July 2012

What is Traditional Meditation?

Meditation has always been associated with solitude, tranquility, and physical inactivity. When one talks of meditation, you may usually come up with a scenario in which a person finds a secluded area, closes his eyes in silence, and rests his body while working his mind out.

Does meditation always have to be like this?

“Meditation is an Art of keeping in Touch With Yourself”

Meditation is an art. A method. A skill. A process. It is the art of keeping in touch with yourself, of discovering your entirety and the many facets of your being. It is also a skill that must be developed. It requires discipline and right mindset. You cannot simply think that you will meditate and expect to achieve a result right after. This requires the tuning of one’s consciousness. Meditation typically involves a set of procedures and guidelines to be followed.

Typically, the success of the meditation will depend on the adherence to the given principles and rules. So, any kind of meditation would do the job as long as you follow the principles and rules.

Here is maybe a new concept and style of meditation to you.

Walking Meditation as a Modern Way to a Healthier Life

One interesting form of meditation that deviates from the old and traditional concept is walking meditation. Walking meditation is a lot different from other forms of meditation known to many. For one, you will not have to be physically inactive just to do it. In fact, you need to move and be active – you need to walk! You have to actively engage your mind and your body in this activity in order to experience a holistic positive result. This brings another benefit. Since walking is a daily activity, you can actually grow by meditation everyday!

You also will not have to find a secluded place just so you can meditate. Anywhere will do. Actually, a noisy and crowded place is even encouraged. Here is where the challenge lies.

Here are 4 things that you can put in mind to gain full benefits of walking meditation.

1. No Clinging To Outer World.

Concentration is important and awareness must be focused. You must not allow the outer world to bind your mind into it – by the things that you see, hear, or whatever you perceive. You may be aware of them, but you must guard not to do anything about them. Do not cling to anything.

2. Achieve A Balanced Awareness Between Your Inner Self and the Outer World.

The guiding principle behind walking meditation is achieving a balanced awareness, equilibrium, between your inner self and the outer world surrounding you.

3. Feel the Entire Body While Noticing Your Emotion and Mood.

This meditation will invite you to feel your entire body, all the workings of the parts that make you up, being aware how each of your body parts operates. While doing this, you also have to notice your emotion and your mood. These are all done while you walk.

4. Notice the Outside World Without Doing Anything At All.

The outside world need not be lost in your focus. There will always be stuffs that will catch your attention as you meditate, and you are not to resist. You are not to hang on to these, though. You have to let them pass by, observing them without doing anything at all.

“By bridging the gap between what is within and what is out of yourself, you can take full control of your life and enjoy a healthier and a more satisfied lifestyle.”

This is the real sense of awareness. The ideal result of walking meditation is the person’s consciousness of the outside world while being completely aware of his inner self. When this is achieved, many of the puzzles and complexities of life will become clearer and simpler.

Before you start asking yourself these questions, get a piece of paper now. Then write your answers on it.

1. What do I really want?

Take time to figure out what you want to do with your life. Find something you enjoy doing and stick with it until you are at your greatest ability. Be the you that you want to be.

2. Should I really change?

Asking yourself this will help you decide if you are already doing something that you do well and enjoy. Maybe you just aren’t concentrating on an area of your life that you’d like to see grow.

3. What’s the bright side in all of this?

With so much is happening around us there seem to be no room for even considering that light at the end of the tunnel. And if it’s a train at the end of the tunnel, take it for a ride and see what makes the world go round!

4. Am I comfortable with what I’m doing?

There’s always the simple way and the correct way when it comes to deciding what goes with which shoes, or purse, shirt and whatnot. It doesn’t take a whiz kid to perceive yourself as someone exceptional.

5. Have I done enough for myself?

Unhappiness in each phase can be hazardous in huge doses, but in tiny amounts you’ll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.

6. Am I happy at where I am today?

If the answer is yes, then grab onto this and become the best you can be.

7. How much could I have?

I assume in this case there is no such thing as having too much or too little, but it’s more on how much you actually require it.

8. What motivates me?

What motivates you? It’s an answer you have to discover for yourself. There are so many things that can make everybody content, but to decide on one may be the hardest part.

How was it?

Hope you find something new about yourself and now you know what to do with your life.

“In the correct meditation posture your mind and body have great power to accept things as they are whether agreeable or disagreeable.” ~ Shunryu Suzuki

In layman’s term, Zen meditation is letting go of pessimistic thoughts and simply relaxing. In Buddhism, it is a contemplative discipline performed to achieve calmness in the mind and body. Most importantly, it aims for a practitioner to understand the nature of life to obtain enlightenment.

1. Find Zen Method

To fully experience positive results of Zen meditation, there are three general methods to consider such as

(i) Concentration; (ii) Koan Introspection; and (iii) Shikantaza.

i. Concentration

Concentration is the main emphasis to start Zen meditation. You need to focus on your breathing which is commonly ministered by counting.

“Let breathing be your shield to any distraction.”

ii. Koan

On the other hand, Koan Introspection focuses on “koan.” Koan is an entity used for meditation.

iii. Shikantaza

“Just sitting” or Shikantaza is meditation where an object has no place, instead mere concentration is needed.

2. Find Zen Position

Once you have chosen a specific method, then it is time for you to be aware of the common positions undertaken in Zen meditation.

There are 4 kinds of meditation position.

i. Burmese Position

At first glance the said position looks like a simple cross-legged position. With the Burmese position, you need to situate your feet so it will be in front of one another and let both your feet relax on the floor. You need to ensure that your heels are pointed towards your pelvis. Also rested on the floor are your knees.

ii. Seiza Position

Seiza is the Japanese term for correct sitting. It can be achieved by letting your lower leg kneel. Make sure that your feet are under your buttocks and that your toes are positioned in a backward manner.

iii. Half-Lotus Position

Indian-style with one leg on the top of the other is the half-lotus position. To achieve such sitting position, you need to be seated on an Indian-style of sitting. After which, lift one leg without letting the legs be unfolded.

iv. Full-Lotus Position

Make sure that you are seated Indian style. Then, pick one foot and take it to the crook of your knee. Let it rest, ensuring that the base of your knee is in an upward position. The final step you need to undertake is to bring the other foot to the other knee just like what you did on the first.

3. Things To Keep In Mind

After you have chosen a comfortable Zen position for you, there are other important considerations you need to carry out:

Anger is normal as it is a healthy, human emotion. However, problems ensue when it gets uncontrollable and turns destructive. Uncontrollable anger as among the top and common behavior problems usually affect work, personal relationships, and overall life quality. Thus, there is a need for anger management training.

Psychologists have established that it is just natural for some people to become more hot-headed than others.

There are two kinds of people when it comes to anger.

Which one are you?

A person who easily get angry, with greater anger intensity

OR

A person who are good at controlling and concealing anger

This strong emotion is often categorized as among the common causes of disruptive behavior problems whether in adults or in children. You should notice that when anger becomes one of your behavior problems.

If you tend to be angered more easily, you should start seeking anger management techniques especially when you start withdrawing socially. You may have lower tolerance for frustration and you may easily take violent and unlikely reactions when confronted by the feeling.

“Behavior problem should be conquered and controlled immediately before it takes matters more seriously.”

Here are some strategies to help you keep anger-related behavior problems at bay.

1. Just Relax

Anger-induced behavior problems could easily be resolved by simply relaxing.

“Take a deep breath then imagine happy images.”

This strategy has been proven to be effective in calming angry people and making ‘hot heads’ cool.

2. Change The Way You Normally Think.

Restructure your cognition.

For example,

“Instead of cursing and yelling, just sit down and think of more positive thoughts when feeling angry.”

It could literally make you a ‘monster’ in the eyes and perception of people around you.

3. Think Solution Instead of Being Angry.

Try to improve your problem solving skills. Frustration and anger are often caused by inescapable and troubling problems.

Bear in mind that…

“Anger will not in any way help you fix problems.”

If you could devise ways to effectively and systematically solve those problems, you could find yourself also controlling anger problems.

4. Stop Saying Your First Thought In Your Head. Think First.

When you get angry, try to avoid blurting out initial thoughts that come from your head. Learn to self-edit.

“Slow down what you want to say. “

Slow down and carefully assess things you want to say before screaming them out.

5. Develop Your Communication Skill.

Here is the opportunity for you to improve better communication skills.

“Try to listen well to what other people want to say.”

Then talk calmly back. Sometimes the over-heated argument is just a misunderstanding.

6. Avoid Any Occasion of Anger.

If you think attending a social gathering, going to a specific venue, or doing certain activities would only make you uncontrollably angry try your best to avoid them. This would help you prevent getting angry especially in front of many people.

“Do not do if you don’t want to do. Do not go if you don’t want to go.”

Instead, you could opt to go to other laid-back places, enjoy your time alone at home, or do other pleasant activities that would help keep your mood okay.

7. Stop Drinking Alcohol.

Do not drink alcohol if it usually makes you violent. As the old saying goes, “In wine there is truth.” You may not be aware but you could still carry your anger even after getting drunk. Worse!

Be aware that…

“Your strong negative feelings are amplified when you drink.”

Most people with behavior problems are advised by professionals to avoid getting drunk first and foremost.

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

We know that volunteering a portion of our time is something we should do. There are reminders all around us that our help is needed. Other people will significantly benefit from any time we contribute. But that is not the only reason to volunteer.

Have you thought about the benefits you will get from volunteering? If you consider the many benefits you will receive, you will be asking yourself why you aren’t more involved with helping a cause.

Here are good reasons for exploring yourself by volunteering.

To build your self-esteem and self-confidence

To make a difference in the world

To increase personal satisfaction

To do something as a family

To feel needed and appreciated

To be challenged

To do something different

To improve your mental health

To have fun!

To make new friends

Here are some practical reasons why you want to volunteer.

To build personal and profesional contacts

To develop new job skills

To add experience to your resume

To develop people skills

To develop communication skills

To explore career possibilities

To share your skills with others

To earn academic credit

You will get more out of your volunteer experience than you put into it. Don’t hesitate to identify and donate some of your time to a worthy volunteer opportunity. You will be glad you did.